THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY PALLONE, BELFANTI, READSHAW, BAKER, BOBACK, BOYD, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, DELOZIER, DENLINGER, DeWEESE, DONATUCCI, FLECK, FREEMAN, GABLER, GEIST, GEORGE, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HESS, HORNAMAN, HOUGHTON, HUTCHINSON, KAUFFMAN, W. KELLER, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, KOTIK, KRIEGER, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MANN, MARKOSEK, MARSHALL, MARSICO, McCALL, McGEEHAN, MELIO, MENSCH, METZGAR, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MOUL, MUNDY, MURT, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, QUINN, REICHLEY, ROEBUCK, ROHRER, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTARSIERO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, STABACK, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TALLMAN, VULAKOVICH, WHEATLEY AND WHITE, AUGUST 10, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, AUGUST 10, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing November 10, 2009, as "Marine Corps Day" in

Pennsylvania in honor of the United States Marine Corps'

234th anniversary.

WHEREAS, The United States Marine Corps was founded as the

Continental Marines by a resolution passed by the Second

Continental Congress on November 10, 1775; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Corps has fought with great courage on

every continent and in every conflict in American history,

including the Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, World

War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Corps is serving in support of Operation

Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Corps has fought valiantly in defense of

the United States and its citizens and principles; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately 202,000 individuals

currently enlisted in the Marine Corps; and

WHEREAS, Marines recognize the Marine Corps as a brotherhood

built on time-honored values and principles; and

WHEREAS, Marines truly embody the motto of the Marine Corps:

"Semper Fidelis" translates from Latin as "always faithful," and

signifies the defense of freedom and democracy worldwide; and

WHEREAS, "Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima," the famous

photograph by Joe Rosenthal, will always symbolize the triumph

and glory of the Marine Corps; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Corps' Air Ground Task Force integrates a

ground combat element, an aviation combat element and a

logistics combat element under a common command element; and

WHEREAS, Known for its amphibious and land capabilities, the

Air Ground Task Force operates independently or as part of a

larger coalition; and

WHEREAS, During World War I, Marines fought their famed

battle at Belleau Wood, establishing their reputation of

toughness and fierceness; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Corps played a central role in the

liberation of the Pacific Islands during World War II; and

WHEREAS, The momentum of the Korean War shifted when the

Marine Corps, in conjunction with the Navy, launched a massive

amphibious attack at Inchon, surprising the North Koreans by

putting thousands of United States troops behind enemy lines;

and

WHEREAS, The Marine Corps participated in major offensives of

the Vietnam War, engaging in guerrilla warfare, implementing

unconventional techniques for counterinsurgency and working as

military advisors to the Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps; and

WHEREAS, From 1990 to 1992, Marines participated in Operation

Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, leading the liberation

of Kuwait and the defeat of Iraqi forces; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Corps continues to make significant

contributions to the war on terrorism as part of Operation

Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Corps supports peacekeeping missions and

humanitarian operations in countries such as Liberia,

Bangladesh, the Philippines and Somalia; and

WHEREAS, Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 192, written by

Major Commandant General John A. Lejeune, established the

mandatory celebration of the Marine Corps' anniversary;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize

November 10, 2009, as "Marine Corps Day" in Pennsylvania in

honor of the United States Marine Corps' 234th anniversary.